USOO7237274B2

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 7,237,274 B2 Cote (45) Date of Patent: Jul. 3, 2007

(54) FOREHEAD CLEARING APPARATUS FOR 1,207,137 A 12/1916 Clore HATS, CAPS AND RELATED HEADWEARS 2,417,616 A * 3/1947 Ryniker ...... 2, 1818 4,101,981 A 7, 1978 Boden

(76) Inventor: Benoit Cote, 3268, Amis, Mascouche, 3.0- - w A ck SE RSClell 11 Cet allal...... 2,414 Quebec (CA) J7K 1W8 4,951,320 A 8/1990 Yoon

(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this is: A ck SE carnatOt et al...... 2, 1814 patent is extended or adjusted under 35 5.317.761 A 6, 1994 Piche U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days. 5,365,607 A * 11/1994 Benevento et al...... 2, 1814 5,495,622 A 3, 1996 Kaufman (21) Appl. No.: 10/827,210 5,566,395 A 10/1996 Nebeker 5,625,901 A 5/1997 Healy (22) Filed: Apr. 20, 2004 5,715,533 A 2/1998 Stein 5,956,759 A 9, 1999 Benedict (65) Prior Publication Data 5,978,969 A * 11/1999 Vinding Diers ...... 2, 1814 6,199.214 B1* 3/2001 Campbell ...... 2, 1816 US 2005/0229289 A1 Oct. 20, 2005 * cited by examiner (51) Int. Cl. Primary Examiner Katherine Moran A42C5/00 (2006.01) (52) U.S. Cl...... 2A181 (57) ABSTRACT (58) Field of Classification Search ...... 2/1812, 2/0.4 0.8, 1822. 0.5-0.7. 411. 414, 41, 183 A forehead clearing apparatus having a pair of wedge shaped s w Yos s s 2fis1. 3 4f66 99 modules comprising hook and pile strips wherein the pile s s strip has a peel and stick backing which is glued onto the See application file for complete search history. headband of a hat or cap and the hook strip is permanently (56) References Cited bonded to the wedge shaped module so that the wedge shaped modules are readily removable. U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 941,717 A * 1 1/1909 Kolsch ...... 2, 1818 7 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets

U.S. Patent Jul. 3, 2007 Sheet 1 of 3 US 7,237,274 B2 FIG. 1

U.S. Patent Jul. 3, 2007 Sheet 2 of 3 US 7,237,274 B2 FIG. 2

U.S. Patent Jul. 3, 2007 Sheet 3 of 3 US 7,237,274 B2

US 7,237,274 B2 1. 2 FOREIHEAD CLEARING APPARATUS FOR shaped modules can be positioned at different places along HATS, CAPS AND RELATED HEADWEARS the pile strips so as to vary the distance between each of the two wedge shaped modules in order to create the desired BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION clear space across a users forehead. The tapered configu ration of the wedge shaped modules allow for the inside rim Field of the Invention of the hat or cap to follow the contour of a user's heasd at the This invention relates generally to hats and caps and more back and gradually distance the rim from the head as it goes particularly to a cap that keeps the forehead of a user free of along the sides of the head until reaching the forehead where contact with the cap so as to provide aeration to reduce the wedge shaped modules end and the forehead clearing perspiration. 10 begins. This reduces ungainly deformation of the hat or cap. Background The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages Although hats and caps are used to shield one’s head from of this invention will become more readily apparent from the the harsh rays of the Sun, they nonetheless create another following detailed description of a preferred embodiment problem which is that of added perspiration. Indeed, the lack with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the of air circulation under the cap exacerbates the problem of 15 preferred embodiment of the invention is shown and perspiration. Whereas moisture from perspiration would described, by way of examples. As will be realized, the normally evaporate, once covered, it remains trapped and invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and tends to accumulate, drip, and create discomfort for the user. its several details are capable of modifications in various For this reason, over the years, a number of inventors have obvious respects, all without departing from the invention. come up with novel ways to try to solve this problem. Early Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded in the 20th century, as bowler hats were popular, a sweat as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. band was adapted to fit the interior perimeter of the hat. More recently a variety of means have been used to keep BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED the front part of a hat's band away from the user's forehead. EMBODIMENT They include pads and projecting members or spikes. Other 25 variations concentrate on simply having an absorbent mate FIG. 1 Top cutaway view of a cap showing the wedge rial that provides a cooling effect with evaporation. More elements installed. elaborate systems include a coolant reservoir and a network FIG. 2 Top cutaway view of a cap showing the wedge of pipes to provide a cooling effect by evaporation. elements removed. One inconvenience of system which push the front part of 30 FIGS. 3abc Top view of various lengths of wedge ele a cap forward is that the means for pushing the front part ments for use on Small, medium, and large heads. forward is pressed against the user's forehead which does not provide adequate ventilation, although there is improved DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE circulation inside the hat because of the spacing provided. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Other inconveniences of the prior art involve the lack of 35 flexibility, that is, once a cap or hat has the system it is part A forehead clearing apparatus (10) has a pair wedge of the cap and not made to be repeatedly removed and shaped modules (12) which are comprised of hook and pile reinstalled which could be a desirable feature since caps are strips (14, 16) wherein the pile strips (14) has a means for also worn when ambient temperature is cool and there is no bonding permanently onto a headband (20) — which is a longer a need for increased aeration, in fact quitre the 40 standard component on hats or caps (22) and defines the size opposite. of the hat or cap (22). One preferred means is a peel and stick There is therefore a need for a practical and efficient backing (18) which is glued onto a headband (20). The hook means of providing aeration for a cap or hat. strip (16) is permanently bonded to the wedge shaped module (12). By using hook and pile strips (14, 16) allows SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 45 for the wedge shaped modules (12) to be readily removable (as per FIG. 2) from the headband (20). The pile strips (14) It is a first object of this invention to provide for a simple are substantially longer than the hook strips (16) so that the and effective way of providing a cap with aeration. wedged shaped modules (12) can be positioned at different It is a second object of this invention to provide for a places along the pile strips (14) so as to vary the distance system which can be taken out and taken in quickly. 50 between each of the two wedge shaped modules (12) in It is a third object of this invention to provide for a system order to create the desired clear space across a user's which can be installed easily and quickly inside existing hats forehead (24). The tapered configuration of the wedge and caps by the user without the need for tools. shaped modules (12) allow for the headband (20) of the hat It is a fourth object of this invention to provide for a or cap (22) to follow the contour of a user's head at the back system which truly clears a user's forehead with no contact 55 and gradually distance the headband (20) from the head as whatsoever. it goes along the sides of the head until reaching the forehead It is a fifth object of this invention to provide for a system (24) where the wedge shaped modules (12) end and the which can be instantly customizable for adjusting the forehead clearing area (26) begins. This reduces ungainly desired clear opening across a users forehead according to deformation of the hat or cap (22). According to the size of need or preference. 60 the wearer, various lengths are available with the accompa In order to do so, the cap is fitted with a pair of wedge nying pile strip (18) preferably substantially longer. The pile shaped modules comprising hook and pile strips wherein the side of the pile strip (14) is comfortable to the wearer when pile strip has a peel and stick backing which is glued onto the the wedge shaped modules (12) are not in use Such as when headband of a hat or cap and the hook strip is permanently the temperatures is cool. A simple adjustment of the head bonded to the wedge shaped module so that the wedge 65 band (20), as found on most caps (22) can tighten the cap shaped modules are readily removable. The pile strips are after the removal of the wedge shaped modules (12). Elastic Substantially longer than the hook strips so that the wedge bands are also used on Some caps or hats (22) to provide a US 7,237,274 B2 3 4 variable degree of flexibility in the diameter of the headband said pile strips being Substantially longer than said hook (20). To provide additional comfort, the wedge shaped strips such that said wedge shaped modules are posi modules (12) have a soft corner (30) which can be a bevel tioned with their lengths extending parallel to the or a rounded corner which provide for a softer contact on the headband and the hook and pile strips are interlocked; forehead (24). The wedge shaped modules (12) are typically said pair of modules having a thick end and a thin end; made of a semi rigid, spongelike or gellike core (32) with an said wedge shaped modules follow the contours of a outer shell (34) made with a soft material. Because of their user's head from a back where the thin module ends are semi-rigid core (32) the wedge shaped module (12) can bend oppositely positioned, and are gradually distanced from to follow the curve of the hat or cap (22) as well as of the the head as the modules extend along the head on wearer's head. 10 opposite sides, towards a front forehead side. The the wedge shaped module (12) can be sold by 2. A forehead clearing apparatus as in claim 1 wherein: themselves or integrated into hats or caps (22) at the said wedge shaped module having a soft corner selected manufacturing site of hats and caps (22) wherein the pile from a bevel or rounded corner which provide for a strip (14) could preferably be sewn in or glued and sewn or Softer contact on said forehead. simply glued. 15 3. A forehead clearing apparatus as in claim 1 wherein: An acceptable clearing for the forehead (24) need rarely said wedge shaped module having a core and an outer be above 5 inches wide and for children, it rarely need be shell. narrower than 2 inches. The wedge shaped module (12) does 4. A forehead clearing apparatus as in claim 3 wherein: not need to be more than about /2 inch at its thickest part and said core being semi rigid, and said outer shell being made rarely more than 1 inch wide. As can be seen in the drawings, of a soft material. the wedge shaped module (12) are positioned lengthwise 5. A forehead clearing apparatus as in claim 1 wherein: along the headband (20) and have a thick end and a thin end said thick end positioned so as to be located adjacent a which defines their wedged shape. The wedge shaped mod user's forehead with one said wedge shaped module for ules follow the contour of a user's head from the back where each side of said user's forehead. the thin end of the wedge shaped module (12) is located and 25 6. A forehead cleaning apparatus as in claim 1 wherein: gradually distance the headband (20) from the head as the said clearing areea for forehead being between 2 to 5 wedge shaped modules (12) go along the head, leading to the inches wide; wedge shaped modules thick end, reaching the forehead /2 an inch at its thickest part; where the wedge shaped modules (12) end. no more than 1 inch wide. The invention claimed is: 30 7. A forehead clearing apparatus as in claim 1 wherein: 1. A forehead clearing apparatus comprising: said pile strips being Substantially longer than said hook a pair of wedge shaped modules wherein each of said pair strips so that said wedge shaped modules are position having a length and being further comprised of a hook able at different places along said pile strips so as to strip having a length; vary the distance between each of said pair of wedge a headband comprising a pair of pile strips having a 35 shaped modules in order to create a forehead clearing length; area across said user's forehead. said hook strip being permanently bonded to each said module; k k k k k